You forgot to hate on KIPASS.
The C-14 is big, bloated, and is now getting very dated. The bike (imho) handles terribly. With that said, it is probably the best priced bike out there. St1300's are stupid money, and no one stocks them. The FJR1300 is a great package and I wouldn't fault anyone for buying it. More power and a 6th gear and it would be awesome. BMW? Dig deep babe.
If you are not into road trips and being a college kid, I would look at the Ninja 1000.
“Why is this bike better than the FJR/VFR/k1200GT...etc” – Its not. It is a good reasonably price alternative.
Well there are just so many factors to the handling of any bike. You might want to spend a little time trying to set up your suspension if your capable. Then there's the tyres PR4GT's work exceptionally well on the C14. Then there's the craftsmanship of riding if your lacking it's easy to blame the machine.
IMHO. but you know what they say about opinions. " they're like anus's, everyone has one and everyone else's stinks."
First let me say that just because I own one, doesn't mean it gets a pass on anything. What I said was my honest opinion, sorry if i am not yes man for the Connie or If I offended.
I do have the suspension set up about as good as the stock one can get. I also have the PR4s on it. This bike has never inspired confidence for me. Its... ok, but not great. Perhaps your experience is better.I have road a mile or two in my day, but dont claim to be expert. I will say this. I have owned 2 RT, and just test road a new one today. All of them handled far superior to my connie out of the box.
This bike is dated. It should have electronic dash, suspension, Cruise control, heated Grips, and seat. It also should have a better engine that has more HP, and is better on consumption. Instead for whatever reason the Japanese keep pushing the same tired bike year after year.
In the end, I guess the jokes on me. I sat on a lot of bike today from the completely raw and unruly to the simplest of cruiser. Seems that everything is too expensive, and nobody makes exactly what I want. I was content to jump back on the connie and ride home without shame.
This bike is dated. It should have electronic dash,
suspension
Cruise control
, heated Grips,
and seat.
It also should have a better engine that has more HP, and is better on consumption.
Instead for whatever reason the Japanese keep pushing the same tired bike year after year.
First let me say that just because I own one, doesn't mean it gets a pass on anything. What I said was my honest opinion, sorry if i am not yes man for the Connie or If I offended.
I do have the suspension set up about as good as the stock one can get. I also have the PR4s on it. This bike has never inspired confidence for me. Its... ok, but not great. Perhaps your experience is better.I have road a mile or two in my day, but dont claim to be expert. I will say this. I have owned 2 RT, and just test road a new one today. All of them handled far superior to my connie out of the box.
This bike is dated. It should have electronic dash, suspension, Cruise control, heated Grips, and seat. It also should have a better engine that has more HP, and is better on consumption. Instead for whatever reason the Japanese keep pushing the same tired bike year after year.
In the end, I guess the jokes on me. I sat on a lot of bike today from the completely raw and unruly to the simplest of cruiser. Seems that everything is too expensive, and nobody makes exactly what I want. I was content to jump back on the connie and ride home without shame.
It's all horses for courses I guess. If we all loved the same thing it would be boring. When I first sat on mine 3 plus years ago I thought it was very wide and it felt like I was giving birth to it rather than riding it.
Interesting that the C14 is so dated and full of shortcomings, yet you found nothing in all the bikes you looked at that could compare. Perhaps the C14 isn't so bad after all?
Granted there are lots of gizmos it might have, but then it would cost like a BMW. In my view what it has and does is first rate. What it lacks can easily be added if that something you must have and have the money to pay for.
I really wish I had incentive to buy a new bike. If they just did a refresh of the Connie like they did the FJR.
The Saki has to be especially good for that to happen.